Project Stove Swap

Ken is only one of our more than 200 success stories. As an initiative of Clean Air Minnesota, Project Stove Swap connects residents of all income levels with their local wood stove vendor to swap out their older, inefficient wood stove, identify potential discounts for a new model, and breathe easier by reducing wood smoke.

Through Project Stove Swap, we work to support community wellness through continuous air emissions reductions. Over time, too much wood smoke can lead to a variety of health issues including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and heart disease. In some cases, an inefficient wood stove is also a fire and safety hazard.

Swapping out just one older wood stove for a new model is the pollution reduction equivalent of removing more than 700 cars from the road per year, making it an efficient way to improve air quality. Through dealing with local vendors and manufacturers, this program supports local economies, public health, and Minnesota’s environment all at the same time.

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We are currently requesting proposals for vendors to continue Project Stove Swap in the Metro area. While Project Stove Swap in Northern Minnesota is complete, we hope to return in the future. To get updates on Project Stove Swap and our other Clean Air Minnesota work, please subscribe to our “Clean air” email list. To apply to become a vendor with Project Stove Swap, please review the RFP.

How Can I Swap Out My Stove?

1. CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Project Stove Swap in Northern Minnesota has been completed. In the future, we will be accepting applications from participants in the Metro area. More information on eligibility will be coming soon.

If you have questions about eligibility, contact Jon Emerson-Kramer at 612-334-3388 ext. 8109.

3. INSTALL YOUR NEW DEVICE

You and your vendor will work together to arrange for installation with an accredited installer. Project Stove Swap’s incentive will be added as a discount on your vendor’s invoice. Customers are responsible for all costs above the incentive amount.

4. COMPLETE TRAINING

Once your new device is installed, your vendor will train you on its operation and fill out a certification form on your behalf.

5. CELEBRATE

Breathe easier knowing your new stove is helping your health and the environment. If you think any of your neighbors would benefit from a new stove, be sure to share the project with them!

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY FOCUS ON WOOD SMOKE?

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the majority of the air pollutants of concern today come from smaller, widespread sources that are not regulated in the way power plants and factories are. These smaller sources include cars, trucks, construction equipment, residential wood burning, and residential garbage burning.

These sources contribute nearly 75 percent of air pollution emissions in the state.

In particular, wood smoke is composed of a mix of gases, chemicals, and fine particles. The finest particles are small enough to be absorbed by the lungs and enter into the bloodstream, which can cause a variety of health concerns, especially in children, the elderly and people with existing heart, lung or upper respiratory conditions.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?

Project Stove Swap will be expanding into the Metro area in Summer 2019 and beyond. Eligibility requirements to have your appliance replaced will be coming soon. Generally, Project Stove Swap replaces older, less efficient appliances for newer alternatives.

Older wood burning appliances manufactured before 1992 that are used as a primary or major heat source in a residence are eligible for the program. This includes wood stoves and fireplace inserts, pellet stoves and inserts, forced air furnaces, and hydronic heaters. Project Stove Swap vendors can help you determine whether or not your existing appliance is eligible for replacement.

WHERE IS PROJECT STOVE SWAP TAKING PLACE?

We have completed our Project Stove Swap work in Northern Minnesota, and will be expanding into the Metro area in 2019 and 2020. For more information on the results of our Northern Minnesota work, read our blog posts. Environmental Initiative is currently partnering with Anchor Glass, Flint Hills Resources, and Ramsey County to offer financial incentives for stove replacement through Project Stove Swap. The map above indicates the areas where funding is available.

WHAT NEW DEVICES CAN I INSTALL?

Project Stove Swap replaces wood and pellet stoves and inserts, hydronic heaters, wood furnaces, gas furnaces, and gas stoves and inserts. These devices must be EPA certified or Energy Star certified, respectively, reasonably energy efficient, and be the primary heat source for the home. A list of devices can be found here.

WHY DOES MY NEW DEVICE NEED TO BE INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL?

Proper installation is critical to the safety, efficiency, and easy operation of heating appliances. Properly certified professionals have the industry standard in training and will make sure that your device is ready to run for the long-term.

WHY DOES MY OLD APPLIANCE NEED TO BE RECYCLED?

The goal of Project Stove Swap is to reduce air pollution by retiring older, inefficient wood-burning appliances. In recent years, technological advances have made new wood-burning appliances much more efficient, enabling them to produce the same amount of heat while producing significantly less smoke. Installing new wood and gas appliances saves homeowners and businesses time and money while helping us all breathe easier.

If an old appliance is re-installed, it is still producing emissions and jeopardizing the safety and health of its users. Old appliances must be destroyed and recycled in order to make sure that this doesn’t happen.

Project Stove Swap is an initiative of Clean Air Minnesota, a public-private-community partnership committed to creating healthy and thriving communities through continuous air emissions reductions. Clean Air Minnesota is managed and administered by Environmental Initiative.

Anchor Glass is required to take these actions and expenditures as part of a negotiated consent decree to resolve claims of the United States and States that Anchor violated the Clean Air Act.

Questions?

Information on submitting a proposal to be a vendor partner can be found here.

If you have questions about Project Stove Swap or Clean Air Minnesota, contact Jon Emerson-Kramer at 612-334-3388 ext. 8109.

Project Stove Swap Celebrates 1 Year

In its first year, Project Stove Swap exchanged more than 200 older, inefficient wood stoves and achieved the air quality equivalent of removing 533,000 cars from the road annually. It has also leveraged more than $1.2 million in economic activity.